Ideas for Finishing Maple Cabinets?

Q: We are in the process of renovating our kitchen. These cabinets had a painted mosiac on them and once we started sanding, we discovered that they are a very good quality, solid maple.

We are in love with the grain and want to enhance it and keep it visible, but are stumped about how to finish it in a way that would make it look it not "yellowed and cheap" — the finish that varnish would give. Any ideas? Thank you so much. We hope to share the before and after pics in a bit.